Preplant Treatments Research Articles

Evaluating Soil Solarization and Mustard Seed Meal as Preplant Treatments for Weed Control in Annual Hill Plasticulture Strawberry Production

Evaluating Soil Solarization and Mustard Seed Meal as Preplant Treatments for Weed Control in Annual Hill Plasticulture Strawberry Production

The effect of pre-planting treatment with weak non-ionizing pulse fields on the productivity and quality of potato cultivars

The effect of pre-planting treatment with weak non-ionizing pulse fields on the productivity and quality of potato cultivars

Technologies of physical and chemical impact on potato planting material

The paper highlights that it is planned to increase the cultivation area of open ground vegetables and potatoes for ensuring the food security. (Research purpose) This study aims to explore methods and technologies for pre-planting treatment of potatoes. (Materials and methods) The research was conducted in the Tula region where Rannee Utro (Early Morning) and Rokko potato varieties were studied under natural infectious conditions. Various fungicides and biological products containing different active ingredients were applied to protect potatoes. Additionally, the study investigated the eff ects oflow-pressure mercury ultraviolet discharge lamps and magnetic field treatments on the biopotential and pH levels of potatoes. (Results and discussion) The study focuses on enhancing potato yields by applying direct magnetic field exposure before planting and investigates the impact of ultraviolet irradiation on tuber growth and productivity. Signifi cant emphasis was placed on the efficacy of chemical and biological agents in preventing potato scab. The findings show that optimal biometric indicators and potato yields were achieved with a magnetic induction of 30 millitesla. Any deviation from this treatment dose results in reduced biometric indicators and yields, which, however, remain hirer than those of the untreated controls. (Conclusions) The application of fungicidal disinfectants effectively curtails the development of common scab, with the highest efficacy achieved using Rovral Aquafl o 500. Post-treatment with ultraviolet radiation at a dose of 120-240 joules per square meter enhances vegetative growth, productivity, and tuber reproduction rates. The most favorable biometric indicators and yields were observed when a magnetic induction treatment dose of 0.23 joule-seconds per kilogram was applied.

Damage to potato tubers by cut worms in grain-grass root-crop rotation in the north-west of the Russian Federation

The paper presents the results of long-term monitoring of potato tuber damage by caterpillars of cut worms and study of the factors determining it. The research was carried out in grain-grass root-crop rotation in the north-west of the Russian Federation. In recent years in the domestic and world scientific literature an increase in the pest rate of cut worms on potato plantings has been observed, therefore, it is relevant to identify the factors contributing to a significant limitation of damage to potato tubers by the caterpillars of cut worms. According to the results of the studies conducted in the period 2012–2022, it was determined that the damage to potato tubers by caterpillars of cut worms varies widely – from 0.5 to 15.9%. Weather conditions have the strongest influence on tuber damage by cut worms (influence share – 24.3%). The period from planting to flowering of potatoes is determinant, which is confirmed by statistical treatment (r = 0.65, p < 0.05). Increase of tuber damage by cut worms is promoted by hydrothermal conditions during this period, corresponding to the HTC 2.1–2.3, as well as weeding of plantings with perennial dicotyledonous species and some small perennial species. The influence of vegetative mass of the whole set of growing weed vegetation was expressed by a correlation coefficient equal to 0.14 (p < 0.05), including density and mass of perennial dicotyledonous species – 0.11 (p < 0.05) and 0.13 (p < 0.05). One of the factors that significantly reduce damage to potatoes by this pest is preplanting treatment of tubers with insectofungicides. In combination with the use of herbicides, it provided a 56.8% reduction in the proportion of tubers damaged by cut worm caterpillars in the harvested crop. At the same time, application of mineral fertilizers, change of the forecrop in crop rotation and cultivation of potato varieties with different resistance did not lead to a reliable decrease in damage of tubers by caterpillars of cut worms.

Corn 15N uptake and partitioning in response to fertilizer application rate and timing

AbstractNitrogen (N) fertilizer applications near the time of planting are important for upper US Midwest corn (Zea mays L.) production, but wet springs may result in significant N losses. Split applications may circumvent this problem and improve fertilizer uptake and use efficiency, but the relative contribution of N from the soil and fertilizer is poorly understood. A field study with six sites in Minnesota received 15N‐labeled urea fertilizer in the first year and unlabeled urea in the second year to determine the effect of N rate and application timing on corn uptake and accumulation patterns of fertilizer‐derived N (FDN) and soil‐derived N (SDN) over two consecutive growing seasons. Corn responded positively to fertilization. The percentage of total N uptake as FDN was greatest closest to the time of application but decreased over time as SDN became the dominant N source. A split application (45 kg N ha−1 at planting, 90 kg N ha−1 at V4) significantly improved FDN uptake over the 135 kg N ha−1 preplant treatment but did not improve total N uptake in the first year at any site. Fertilizer‐N use efficiency (F15NUE) using the isotopic method was 2.8%–43.3% across all sites at the end of the first year with the majority partitioned to the grain. At the end of the second year, approximately 2.2% of the first‐year applied FDN was recovered in aboveground biomass. Fertilization ensures adequate N availability to the developing crop, but ultimately SDN contributed ≥61% of the total N uptake.

The effect of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> subsp. <i>aizawai</i> on the composition of soil microbiota and potato yield

The bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai) are entomopathogenic microorganisms that are used to control the abundance of insect pests, in particular members of the Lepidoptera and Diptera orders. The growth-stimulating effect of the bacterium B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai on potatoes. In particular, an increase in plant biomass by 1.4 times was noted already on the 4th week of accounting compared with the control. The length of the roots and the number of stolons were statistically higher by 1.2 times and 2.3 times on the 10th week of counting when processing a suspension of B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai compared to controls, respectively. Preplant treatment of B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai had a positive effect on the rhizosphere microflora. It has been established that B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai leads to an increase in the number of ammonifying bacteria by 8 times, nitrogen-fixing bacteria by almost 30 times, cellulolytic bacteria by 1.3 times relative to the control and suppresses the number of micromycetes by 21% and 27% compared to the control and standard, respectively. Increasing groups of nitrogen-fixing bacteria using B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai contributed to an increase in potato yield by 13% and 24% compared to the control and standard. Influence on the ratio of the potato fraction under the influence of B. thuringiensis subsp. aizawai has not been rendered.

Potato mycocenoses in the fields of the Novozybkovsky district of the Bryansk region with different levels of radioactive contamination and economic use

The peculiarities of the formation of mycocenoses in potato plantings growing in fields with different levels of radioactive contamination and economic use were studied. The experiments were carried out in 1991–1998 in the fields of the Novozybkov agricultural experimental station in the Bryansk region (pollution density l37Cs = 1.2 ± 0.2 MBq/m2) and the lands of the Komsomolets Agricultural Complex withdrawn from economic use (l37Cs 1.8 MBq/m2). Differences were noted in the incidence of potato plants with diseases in the field small–scale experiment (1992), depending on the fertilizers applied (background – peat manure compost (PMC) or additionally NPK + Mg), their balance (different doses of nutrients), as well as agricultural cultivation techniques. In the variants with the introduction of NPK + Mg and the use of the herbicide Promethrin SC or sodium humate, a significant decrease in the incidence of tubers with scab by 25–60% was revealed. Weather conditions influenced the development of pathogens. In 1994 rhizoctoniosis developed most actively in potato plantings and common scab on tubers (hydrothermal coefficient (GTС)may–august = 2.35, which is significantly higher than the average long–term norm for 1991–1998–1.35). In the experiment on potatoes of the Temp variety of Belarusian selection (1994), the possibility of restraining the development of pathogens due to pre-planting treatment of tubers with fungicides was shown: when using contact the decrease in the total level of development of phytopathogens and saprophytes was 1.4 times less than in the control, and when using the systemic fungicide Tect 450 CS – 2.3 times. The use of biologically active substances for the pre-planting treatment of potato tubers (Agate-25K, TPS, Crezacin, KRP and Epin-Extra R) led to a decrease in plant infestation with late blight by 2.2–4.5 times, infestation of tubers with scab by 17–32%, rhizoctoniosis by 10– 36% and later than in the control, the development of diseases, which determined the tactics of fungicidal protection of potatoes during the growing season. There was an increase in potato yield by 11–29% and a significant decrease in the accumulation of137Cs in tubers by 7–15%.

Influence of dry form of bacteria strains of the genus <i>bacillus</i> on garden strawberry in maternal plants

In 2019-2022 in field experiments, stimulation of the survival rate and growth of mother plants of strawberries under the influence of pre-planting treatment with Fitop 8.1 (dry form) and Fitop 8.67 (liquid form) in working concentrations of 1 × 105 CFU / ml was proved: an increase in the survival rate of seedlings by 12.3 % and 19.5 %; an increase in the number of leaves by 29 % and 21 %; an increase in the length of the roots in both variants by 12.9 %; an increase in total plant biomass to levels of 92.9 g/plant and 94.5 g/plant. The biological effectiveness against strawberry white spot in the variants with Fitop 8.1 and Fitop 8.67 treatment was 33.1 % and 29.3м %, which is explained by the immunising effect of treatments on plants. The best effects of stimulating vegetative propagation were also noted in variants where the biological preparations Fitop 8.67 (liquid form) at a concentration of 1×105 CFU/ml and Fitop 8.1 (dry form) at concentrations of 1×105 CFU/ml and 1×106 CFU/ml were used for pre-planting treatment – the increase in the number of rosettes, on average, over three years, amounted to 3.0-3.9 rosettes/plant (20.6-27.3 %) relative to the control, where 14.4 rosettes/plant were formed, in average over three years of observation. The effects obtained in the biological product variants were at a statistically identical confidence level with the reference variant with the Phoenix humic preparation, 0.05 %. As a result, the yield of seedlings from an area of 100 m2 of the mother plantations increased significantly in the variants with Fitop 8.67 and Fitop 8.1 by 32.6 % and 55.9 % at 4229.5 seedlings/100 m2 in the control variant. In contrast, the effectiveness of Fitop 8.1 for seedlings, superior to Fitop 8.67 (liquid form) and the reference version with Phoenix, 0.05 %, has been proven.

Biologization of potato cultivation technology in Western Siberia

As a result of studies conducted in 2014–2017. based on the agro-complex “Giant’s Gardens”, it was established that the biological product Fitop 8.67 had a fungicidal effect on Rhizoctonia while simultaneously having a growth-stimulating effect and increasing potato productivity in the conditions of the Novosibirsk region. The drug Fitop 8.67 helps to increase the biometric indicators of the early ripening potato variety Rosara, such as plant height (1.9 times), number of stems (1.6 times), and weight of 1 plant (1.2 times), compared to the control. At the same time, the drug helped reduce the prevalence of rhizoctoniosis during the growing season. The biological effectiveness of the medication at week 4 was 65.6 %. At week 6 – 83.8, and at week 10 – 80.5 %. Pre-planting treatment of potato tubers with the biological preparation Fitop 8.67 positively affected the crop’s formation. Under the influence of the microbiological complex, there was an increase in the proportion of tubers of the large fraction and a decrease in the small fraction. The average increase in yield over four years was 6.63 t/ha. The prevalence of rhizoctoniosis on tubers of the new crop in the experimental version decreased from 24.55 to 15.5 % in 2014, from 55.3 to 1.55 in 2015, from 62.0 to 15.6 in 2016 and from 40.67 to 4.1% in 2017. In this regard, we can recommend the use of the biological product Fitop 8.67 at a concentration of 1x106 CFU/ml for pre-planting treatment of tubers as a stimulant growth with fungicidal properties, to increase productivity, as well as to reduce the chemical load on the agrocenosis of the potato field.

Effectiveness of applying the preparation Tropikanka 1 on potatoes in the forest steppe of the Obie region

The results of complex experiments to study the effectiveness of using the drug Tropikanka 1 on early potatoes of the Vega variety are presented. The studies were conducted in arid conditions on grey forest soils of the northern forest-steppe of the Novosibirsk Ob region. Before planting, the tubers were soaked for 15 minutes in a solution of Tropikanka 1 with a dilution of 1:50 depending on the options: 1:100, 1:200 and without using the drug with soaking in water (control). The research aims to develop methods for using the environmentally friendly organic fertiliser Tropikanka 1 to stimulate the growth and development of potatoes, increasing their yield and product quality. It was established that on grey forest heavy loamy soil of the forest-steppe of the Novosibirsk Ob region under conditions of acute moisture deficiency in May, June and early July 2023, the use of pre-planting soaking of early potato tubers of the Vega variety for 15 minutes in a solution of Tropikanka 1 fertiliser, obtained based on bird droppings, accelerated the growth and development of potatoes by seven days compared to the control (using water). The largest area of potato leaves was observed against the background of pre-planting treatment of tubers with Tropikanka 1 at a dilution of 1:100, exceeding the control by 1.8 times. The yield of early potato production (the beginning of the third decade of July) with a dilution of the drug 1: 100 is 1.7 times higher than the control. The total yield against the background of soaking tubers with Tropikanka 1 fertiliser for the Vega variety when diluting the drug 1: 100 reached up to 33.8 t/ha, which is 38% higher than the control. At the same time, the yield of marketable products increased to 30 t/ha, exceeding the control by 52 %. The quality indicatorsof commercial products also improved. When the drug was diluted 1:100, there was an increase in starch content by 0.2 %. The concentration of nitrates during the use of the medication is 6.5 times lower than the maximum permissible concentration for potatoes.

ОБРАБОТКА СЕМЕННЫХ КЛУБНЕЙ И РАСТЕНИЙ КАРТОФЕЛЯ ЗАЩИТНО–СТИМУЛИРУЮЩИМИ ПРЕПАРАТАМИ

The results of studying the influence of modern growth regulators during the pre-planting treatment of potato tubers on the yield, quality and safety of potatoes under conditions of cultivation on leached chernozems of the Russian Federation are presented. The research was carried out at the experimental site of the SCNIIGPSH VNC RAS in the foothill zone of the Russian Federation-Alania in the grass-field crop rotation. The soil of the experimental site is leached chernozem, with a slightly acidic reaction (pHsol. 5,8 – 6,0), characteristic of the foothill zone of the republic. The subject of the study is growth regulators: Epin – Extra and Zircon. The object of research is the potato varieties Nevsky and Farn. Pre–planting treatment of potato tubers with a growth regulator accelerates the appearance of potato seedlings for 2-3 days compared to the control. On the Farn variety, on average over three years, a significant increase in the number of stems per bush was noted when using Zircon by 0.3 – 0.6 pcs./bush for control and by 0.1 – 0.2 pcs./bush for the Epin – Extra experiment options. Zircon increases the increase in potato yield on the Farn variety by 5.7 t/ha or 22.9% compared with the control, and by 1.9 t/ha or 6.6% compared with the Epin – Extra experiment options. The Nevsky variety has the same trend: respectively – by 5.7 t/ha or 23.8%; 2.1 or 7.6%. They reduce the total weight loss of tubers by 0.6 – 1.3%, while reducing the development of morbidity of products during storage. On average, over three years, the natural loss of potato tubers was 0.6 – 0.7% for the Farn variety, 0.1 – 0.2% for the Nevsky variety, and 0.2 – 0.3% for morbidity, respectively. Growth regulators provided potato plantings in the foothill zone with improved resistance of potato plants to adverse environmental conditions, increased the yield of potato tubers to 27.5 – 30.5 t/ha in combination with a good starch content and a reduction in total loss during autumn – winter storage.

Efficiency of pre-planting treatment of grafted and own-rooted grape seedlings when grown in various soil and climatic conditions

In the conditions of the Rostov region and the Chechen Republic in 2021-2023. Experiments were carried out to study the influence of pre-planting treatment of the basal (root) part of seedlings of the varieties Cabernet Sauvignon (grafted crop) and Levokumsky (root crop). The American phylloxera-resistant variety Kober 5BB was used as a rootstock for the Cabernet Sauvignon variety. As a result of the research, it was found that the yield of Cabernet Sauvignon seedlings from a grape school increased in all variants with the use of drugs and was on average higher by 16.9-25.2%, which is a significant indicator in grafted viticulture. The results of research experiments conducted on self-rooted seedlings of the Levokumsky variety show identical results. Treatment with Slavol increased the yield of rooted seedlings from the school in all concentrations. The concentration of 0.4% showed the greatest efficiency (54.4% versus 29.0% in the control), however, at concentrations of 0.5% and 0.6% a decrease in yield was observed, but the yield was higher than in the control, 52 .4% and 40.4% respectively.

Ultrasound Application in Potato Cultivation: Potential for Enhanced Yield and Sustainable Agriculture

Ultrasounds, characterized by high-frequency air vibrations exceeding 20 kHz, have traditionally found applications in medicine and the food industry, primarily for analyzing chemical composition and food product structure. They also have potential uses in agriculture, particularly in potato cultivation. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the potential to increase yields of selected potato varieties through the use of ultrasound in agricultural practices. The research findings were derived from a field experiment conducted on Luvisols between 2015 and 2017 in central-eastern Poland. The field experience was designed using a randomized complete-block split-plot layout with three replications. The primary factor included eight potato cultivars representing various maturity groups. The second-order factors included two cultivation management practices: (A) ultrasound application as a pre-plant treatment, and (B) a control group without ultrasound application (sonication). The study assessed potato tuber yield and its structural characteristics. Results: Tuber yield was influenced by the chosen cultivation practices, as well as the variations in responses among potato cultivars to environmental factors and pre-plant treatments. Conclusion: The research findings suggest that the use of ultrasounds in agricultural practices holds promise as a valuable tool for promoting sustainable agriculture, increasing potato cultivation productivity, and fostering environmentally friendly production methods.

Количественные и качественные показатели разных сортов картофеля в зависимости от применения биопрепарата

Abstract. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of the biological preparation “Bigus, VR” on potato crops, in order to increase the yield and quality of the resulting products in the foothill zone of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania. Methods. Field trials in during 2020–2022 were carried out at the experimental plot of the North Caucasus Scientific Research Institute of Mountain and Foothill Agriculture – a branch of the Federal Center “Vladikavkaz Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, the soil of which is leached medium-power chernozem, according to generally accepted methods. Results. It has been found out that biopreparation “Bigus, VR” promotes the increase of biometric parameters of potatoes of varieties Farn, Nevskiy and Barna on all experimental variants in comparison with the control on the average: stem height – by 2–3 cm, haulm weight – by 65 g/bush, or 13,7 %. The highest coefficient of economic efficiency and yield of dry matter were observed in the variety Farn with preplanting treatment + spraying in the phase of budding – 0,75 and 9,7 t/ha with accumulation of 1,64 % of photosynthetic active radiation in the yield. The increase of the potato yield capacity on the average on the variants of experience is marked on the variety Farn – by 3,6 t/ha, or by 13,5 %; on the variety Barna – by 0,93 t/ha, or by 3,3 %, on the variety Nevskiy – by 1,9 t/ha, or by 7,3 %; starch – by 0,72; 0,25 and 0,55 %; dry matter – by 0,62; 0,42 and 0,43 %, respectively. Costs are recouped in all variants of the experiment compared to the control. Scientific novelty. For the first time in the forest-steppe zone of Republic of North Ossetia – Alania we studied the possibility of using a new generation biopreparation “Bigus, VR” on the potato varieties Farn, Barna and Nevskiy. Practical significance. On the basis of the results of the research in the production of potatoes in the piedmont zone of RNO-Alania can be recommended the use of the biological preparation “Bigus, VR” on potato plantings as a rational and highly effective agrotechnological method.

Pre-planting treatment of potato tubers with biopreparations in conditions of Central Yakutia

The results of the study of the influence of pre-planting treatment of tubers with biopreparations based on Bacillus subtilis bacterial strains on the growth, photosynthetic activity of plants, disease damage and yield of the Yakutyanka potato variety under the conditions of Central Yakutia are presented. The experiment scheme included control (tubers without treatment), treatment of the tubers before planting with the biofungicide Phytosporin-M and the suspension of an equal ratio of B. subtilis TNP-3 and B. subtilis TNP-5 bacterial strains isolated from permafrost soils of Yakutia. It was found that treatment of tubers before planting with biopreparations accelerated sprouting by 2-4 days, increased biomass and photosynthetic activity of the plants (by 6-19%), the number (11) and weight (48–57%) of tubers, reduced the damage of the plants by a complex of diseases by 1.8–2.9 times and increased the yield by 7.4–8.8 t/ha (54–64%). The share of biopreparation influence in the variability of economically valuable indicators and yield was shown to be 45–96%, weather conditions 1–38%, factor interaction 1–11%. Significant positive correlation of the yield, number and weight of the tubers with the height, number and weight of the plants, leaf area, photosynthetic potential (r = 0.81...0.98), and negative correlation with rhizoctonia disease, potato scab, and common mosaic (r = –0.80...–0.96) were revealed. There was an inverse relationship between disease prevalence and indices of plant growth and photosynthetic activity (r = –0.33...–0.96). Damage by potato scab and rhizoctonia disease increases 1.4–1.8 times in arid conditions, while blackleg, rugose and common mosaic damage decreases 1.6–2.5 times. Regression equations were calculated, which allow to predict leaf area, photosynthetic potential and yield by plant mass promptly and with high accuracy (R2 = 0.85...0.95). When the bush weight in the flowering phase increased by 100 g, the leaf area of the plants increased by 2.3 thousand m2/ha, photosynthetic potential during the growing season by 120 thousand m2 · day/ha, and the yield by 9.7 t/ha. The difference between actual and calculated values amounted to 2.7–4.7%.

Prolonged effect of growth stimulants on cultivation of planting material of Koyama spruce Picea koraiensis Nakai

Koyama spruce (Picea koraiensis Nakai) is one of the main tree species in Primorsky Krai. Due to its rapid growth, light loving characteristics and good renewal on wood cutting and burned areas in combination with high technical qualities and decorative properties that distinguish it from other Far Eastern spruces, as well as positive experience of plants in various regions of Russia, this tree species is one of the promising coniferous species of the Russian Far East for forest restoration. Koyama spruce is valuable for landscaping cities and towns. However, its introduction is constrained by a number of factors, including a lack of quantity and a high cost of seed material. Use of growth stimulants accelerates production of high-quality planting material of spruce. The purpose of the research was to study the prolonged effect of pre-planting treatment of the root system of three-year-old saplings of Koyama spruce with growth stimulants Krezatsin (triethanolammonium salt of orthocresoxyacetic acid 475 g/l), Tsirkon (hydroxycinnamon acids) and Epin-Extra (epibrassinolide solution in alcohol 0.025 g/l) on morphometric parameters of one- and four-year-old seedlings. Three-year-old seedlings of Koyama spruce grown in the seedling section of the nursery were transplanted to nursery-garden on the area of 0.2 hectares. The seedlings were planted at a distance of 0.61 m. Before transplanting, their root system was placed for 0.5 hours in solutions of growth stimulants Krezatsin, Tsirkon and Epin-Extra (solution concentrations of 1 ml / 5 l and 1 ml / 10 l of water). Control saplings were not treated. At the end of the growing season at the end of the 1st and 4th years of growth, the saplings were measured in terms of stem height, height increase, and diameter of root collar. It was revealed that Krezatsin and Epin-Extra growth stimulants had a significant effect on both the growth of one- and four-year-old seedlings So, in the first year of growth, the height of seedlings exceeded the control by 6.316.2 %, the increase in height - by 27.555.5 %, the diameter of root collar - by 4080 %; in the fourth year, the excess of seedlings to control was 29.945.4, respectively; 7.651.5 and 33.355.6 %. It was found that the concentration of solutions of 1 ml / 10 l was more effective.

The Use of Chlorophyll Fluorescence as an Indicator of Predicting Potato Yield, Its Dry Matter and Starch in the Conditions of Using Microbiological Preparations

The paradigm shift toward ecological agriculture has spurred efforts to phase out the use of conventional pesticides, and researchers are actively seeking natural alternatives to replace these chemicals. Aim: This study aimed to introduce an innovative intervention to enhance potato yields in a non-invasive manner, thereby elevating the content of both dry matter and starch. Ultimately, this approach seeks to enhance the quality of raw materials destined for the production of potato-enriched products. A field experiment was conducted in central-eastern Poland that employed a randomized sub-block method within a dependent split-split-plot design replicated three times. The main factor was pre-planting treatments, which included the application of a microbiological preparation to seed potatoes for: (a) 10 min, (b) 15 min, and (c) no treatment (control). Another factor was the fourteen potato cultivars of different earliness groups. Qualitative analyses were carried out in laboratory conditions. The application of the microbiological preparation yielded positive outcomes on the physiological indicators of potato yield, while augmenting the production of dry matter and starch when compared to the control object. The analyzed cultivars had the most pronounced impact on both the content and yield of dry matter and starch, demonstrating a wide array of responses to pre-planting treatments that incorporated microbiological preparations. For the first time in studies concerning effective microorganisms, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis was employed. Alternative solutions in the form of employing microbiological preparations offer the potential to effectively substitute pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in potato production, consequently enhancing the quality of raw materials for food.

The Use of Effective Microorganisms as a Sustainable Alternative to Improve the Quality of Potatoes in Food Processing

Background: The ecological approach to agriculture causes the desire to eliminate pesticides. Work is underway to replace them with natural agents. Aim: The aim of the research was to introduce an innovative factor and non-invasively increase the yield of dry matter and starch and thus improve the quality of the raw material for the production of potato-enriched products. Material and methods: The field experiment was carried out in central-eastern Poland, using the randomized sub-block method, in a dependent split-split-plot design in three repetitions. The superior factor of the first order was pre-planting treatments by treating seed potatoes with a microbiological preparation for (a) 10 min, (b) 15 min, and (c) untreated seed potatoes (untreated control). The second-order factor was 14 potato cultivars of all groups of earliness. Qualitative research was carried out under laboratory conditions. Results: Pre-planting treatments with the use of a microbiological preparation had a positive effect on the yield of dry matter and starch compared to the control while modifying the characteristics related to the quality of potato chips. The tested cultivars determined both the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the chips to the greatest extent. Conclusions: Alternative solutions will allow the effective replacement of pesticides in potato production and processing.

Electron Beam Irradiation to Control Rhizoctonia solani in Potato

This study focuses on the influence of pre-planting irradiation on the development, health, and yield of seed potatoes infected with Rhizoctonia solani. The research was prompted by the need to ensure crop security and sustainability in the modern-day environment, which calls into question the future sufficiency of crop yields. Considering that the focus has shifted to non-chemical methods of crop treatment at all plant development stages in response to more stringent regulations governing potato production, it is particularly important to refine physics-based methods to suppress fungal diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Irradiation of tubers with 20–150 Gy inhibited the potato development phases and the doses exceeding 150 Gy completely suppressed the potato sprouting. Doses ranging from 20 Gy to 100 Gy decreased the quantity of large tubers by 10–20% on average while the number of medium and small tubers increased by 5–15% and 3–10%, respectively. Irradiation of seed potatoes also decreased the sclerotia and non-sclerotia forms of diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani in the harvested tubers. It was found that 1 MeV electron irradiation with doses ranging from 20 Gy to 30 Gy is the most efficient for the pre-planting treatment of seed potatoes since the penetration of low-energy accelerated electrons into the upper layers of potato tubers ensures the suppression of diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani by at least 10% from the value of non-irradiated samples and prevents the reduction of total yield allowing for a maximum of 25% loss.

Effect of Nanopriming with Selenium Nanocomposites on Potato Productivity in a Field Experiment, Soybean Germination and Viability of Pectobacterium carotovorum

In recent decades, the use of nanocomposites (NCs) in crop production has been actively studied. We have previously shown that chemically synthesized selenium nanocomposites (Se NCs) based on natural polymeric matrices of arabinogalactan (Se/AG NCs), carrageenan (Se/CAR NCs), and starch (Se/ST NCs) stimulated the growth and development of potatoes in vitro and had an antibacterial effect against the phytopathogen Clavibacter sepedonicus. It is important to confirm that the results obtained in the laboratory are also reproducible in the field conditions of crop cultivation. In addition, the applications of NCs can be expanded if a wider range of their biological activity is revealed, and the effect on other types of cultivated plants and phytopathogens is shown. In this regard, the purpose of this research was to study the effect of nanopriming with Se NCs on the productivity of potatoes in a field experiment, the germination of soybeans, and the viability of the phytopathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum under in vitro conditions. The study included the use of traditional methods of conducting a field experiment in natural growing conditions, also using microbiological cultures and studying the bacterial profile from the endosphere of potato tubers by the imprint method, germinating Glycine max L. soybean seeds after nanopriming in Petri dishes, followed by the measurement of morphometric and biochemical parameters such as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and content of diene conjugates. Based on the results of field experiments, it was found that the preplant treatment of tubers with Se/AG and Se/CAR NCs stimulated a significant increase in the number of stems in potato plants and tubers per plant, but for Se/AG NC, the increase was observed only in 2020 and 2022, and the stimulating effect of Se/AG and Se/CAR NCs on the weight of tubers was observed only in 2020. In the yield structure, the proportion of marketable seed tubers was increased under the influence of all Se NCs. Endosphere cultures from tubers showed that bacteria were present in only 56% of the tubers in the control, while 78% of the tubers obtained from plants grown from seed tubers treated with Se/AG NC and 100% of the tubers from plants grown from seed tubers treated with Se/ST and Se/CAR NCs contained bacteria. The bacteria were represented by both spore-forming Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria of various sizes. The results presented in this article and previously published data showed that the maximum diversity of bacteria was observed after treatment with Se/ST NC. Experiments on potatoes showed that Se/AG NC had the greatest biological effect. In addition, the growth-stimulating effect of these NCs on the biomass of the roots of soybean seedlings was shown. It activated the antioxidant enzymes and reduced the level of diene conjugates (DCs), the amount of which increased significantly after seed biopriming with the phytopathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum. The antibacterial effect of Se/AG NC in relation to the P. carotovorum was observed as a reduction in the growth of the bacterial culture, biofilm formation, and dehydrogenase activity of cells. Thus, it has been shown that Se/AG NC has a stimulating effect on such agriculturally important crops as potatoes and soybeans, as well as an antibacterial effect against Gram-negative and Gram-positive phytopathogenic bacteria.